Across industries, silicone rubber products play a crucial role in enhancing performance and reliability for their durability and flexibility. Compared to other materials, silicone rubber products can better enhance your brand reputation. This article will explore the top 5 commercial applications of silicone rubber and we hope it will benefit your business.
Medical Applications of Silicone Rubber Products
The medical market is large in scale, offers high profits, and has a stable silicone rubber purchasing volume. Although the industry has strict entry requirements, if you establish a cooperative relationship, you can build a long-term and stable partnership and maintain the stability of your business.
Typical Products
- Medical tubing
- Medical equipment sealing rings
- Breathing masks
- Surgical instrument handles
- Implantable-grade silicone components
- Dental supplies
Key Technical Requirements for Medical Applications
If you are going to produce medical-related silicone rubber products, you must ensure that the manufacturing process complies with ISO 13485, and the products comply with ISO 10993 biocompatibility requirements and, where applicable, USP Class VI standards.
Your products also need to be non-toxic and non-allergenic, and support multiple sterilization methods. The materials should also be fully traceable throughout the manufacturing process.
Because the medical industry values high-purity and safe materials, and silicone rubber has excellent flexibility and biocompatibility, it can withstand various sterilization treatments and its properties can meet the strict usage requirements of medical devices.
| Parameters | Typical Range |
| Hardness (Shore A) | 30-70 |
| Tensile Strength | ≥7.0 MPa |
| Elongation at Break | ≥400% |
| Tear Strength | ≥20 kN/m |
| Compression Set (22h/177°C) | ≤25% |
| Temperature Range | -50°C to +200°C |
| Density | 1.12-1.18 g/cm³ |
| Dielectric Strength | ≥18 kV/mm |
Tips: The table data is industry standard and for reference only. You can choose the appropriate silicone rubber based on your actual needs.
Food Applications of Silicone Rubber Products
The demand for food-grade silicone rubber products is strong, with stable repeat purchases. Moreover, there are unified industry regulations and standards, making it suitable for you to engage in bulk imports and distribution.
Typical Products
- Kitchenware and tableware sealing gaskets
- Baking mold
- Kitchen utensils
- Beverage pipeline
- Food conveyor belt
Key Technical Requirements for Food Applications
For silicone rubber products to enter the food industry, they need to comply with FDA 21 CFR 177.2600, LFGB requirements, and EU food contact regulations, and must be free from harmful plasticizers and restricted substances. They should be safe with low extractables and compliant migration performance.
You can use certified silicone rubber products that are non-toxic, odorless, and resistant to high temperatures, making them suitable for various food-contact applications.
With reliable safety performance and excellent heat resistance, you can also widely apply silicone rubber in food processing and packaging equipment, fully meeting the usage requirements of the industry.
| Parameters | Typical Range |
| Hardness (Shore A) | 40-80 |
| Tensile Strength | ≥6.0 MPa |
| Elongation at Break | ≥350% |
| Tear Strength | ≥15 kN/m |
| Compression Set (22h/177°C) | ≤30% |
| Temperature Range | -40°C to +220°C |
| Density | 1.12-1.16 g/cm³ |
| Rebound Resilience | ≥50% |
Automotive Applications of Silicone Rubber Products
As the automotive industry becomes increasingly standardized, you will notice that the purchasing volume in this sector is large and the orders are stable over the long term. However, just like in the medical industry, the entry requirements in this field are strict and have extremely high demands for the quality of your silicone rubber products.
Typical Products
- Wire harness sealing
- O-ring
- Turbocharger hose
- Cooler gasket
- Spark plug sleeve
- Electronic control unit seal
Key Technical Requirements for Automotive Applications
Depending on the application, your silicone rubber products may need to comply with FMVSS 302 or OEM flame-retardant requirements and the IATF 16949 system. As they are mainly used in engines and other parts, the materials used need to be of high quality and capable of long-term thermal aging resistance at temperatures up to 150–200°C.
They also offer excellent resistance to oil, coolant, and ozone. However, not all silicone rubbers are oil-resistant. For applications involving prolonged exposure to fuel or oil, we recommend that you use special silicone rubbers such as Fluorosilicone Rubber (FVMQ) to manufacture related automotive components.
Silicone rubber is suitable for making various sealing components and O-rings for automobiles. Due to its flexibility and durability, it can maintain stable sealing and long-term use even in high-temperature and harsh environments such as the engine compartment.
| Parameters | Typical Range |
| Hardness (Shore A) | 50-80 |
| Tensile Strength | ≥6.0 MPa |
| Elongation at Break | ≥300% |
| Tear Strength | ≥18 kN/m |
| Compression Set (22h/177°C) | ≤30% |
| Temperature Range | -50°C to +200°C |
| Density | 1.12-1.20 g/cm³ |
| Volume Resistivity | ≥10¹⁴ Ω·cm |
| Flame Retardant Rating | V-0 or V-1 |
Electrical and Electronic Applications of Silicone Rubber Products
The electrical and electronics industry is characterized by the rapid iteration of electronic products, making it suitable for you to handle small-batch and multi-category silicone rubber orders. This industry has considerable product value-added, and you can enjoy a good profit margin.
Typical Products
- Buttons
- Damping gasket
- Heat transfer gasket
- Conductive silicone strip
- Insulating gasket
- LED packaging
- Battery sealing
Key Technical Requirements for Electrical and Electronic Applications
In the field of electrical and electronic products, the silicone rubber you choose must comply with RoHS, REACH, and relevant UL standards. This not only restricts the use of harmful substances, but also ensures that the performance parameters such as conductivity, insulation, and thermally conductive meet the standards.
Such silicone rubber products are flexible and durable, capable of effectively blocking dust and moisture, protecting the electronic components and ensuring the stable operation of the equipment.
However, conductive and heat-conductive silicone rubber require the addition of fillers such as silver, carbon, and aluminum to achieve these properties, which will increase the cost of your product.
| Parameters | Insulating Grade | Conductive Grade | Thermal Conductive Grade |
| Hardness (Shore A) | 30-60 | 50-80 | 30-70 |
| Tensile Strength (MPa) | ≥5.0 | ≥4.5 | ≥5.0 |
| Elongation at Break (%) | ≥250 | ≥200 | ≥250 |
| Volume Resistivity (Ω·cm) | >10¹⁴ | 10¹-10⁵ | >10¹⁴ |
| Surface Resistivity (Ω/sq) | >10¹³ | 10¹-10⁴ | >10¹³ |
| Dielectric Strength (kV/mm) | ≥18 | — | ≥15 |
| Dielectric Constant (1MHz) | 2.8-3.2 | — | 3.0-5.0 |
| Thermal Conductivity (W/m·K) | 0.2-0.3 | — | 1.0-5.0 |
| Flame Retardant Rating | V-0 or V-1 | V-0 | V-0 |
Industrial Sealing Applications of Silicone Rubber Products
It is widely used in industrial applications, and there are mostly non-standard customized orders. The cooperation value is relatively high.
If you are in the industrial field, you will know that project-based procurement is common, and the overall procurement volume is considerable. It is very important to find a silicone rubber partner with customization capabilities.
Typical Products
- Flange gasket
- Diaphragm
- Sealing strip
- Damper
- Duct connector
- Expansion joint
Key Technical Requirements for Industrial Sealing Applications
The silicone rubber you choose should comply with the ASTM D2000 standard, and standard silicone rubber provides limited oil resistance, while FVMQ offers superior resistance to fuels and oils.
Due to its excellent weather resistance, UV resistance and ozone resistance, as well as outstanding tear strength, silicone rubber is suitable for handling various harsh outdoor conditions.
If the sealing product has a low compression set, it can maintain stable sealing even after long-term use. Sponge silicone rubber can be used for both building sealing and insulation purposes. They can effectively prevent wind, water vapor and dust from entering, thus maintaining the energy efficiency of the building.
| Parameters | Typical Range |
| Hardness (Shore A) | 40-75 |
| Tensile Strength | ≥6.0 MPa |
| Elongation at Break | ≥300% |
| Tear Strength | ≥18 kN/m |
| Compression Set (22h/177°C) | ≤30% |
| Temperature Range | -50°C to +200°C |
| Density | 1.12-1.20 g/cm³ |
| Ozone Resistance | No Cracks |
FAQ
Why Does Conventional Silicone Rubber Swell in Oil?
Silicone rubber has relatively weak intermolecular forces, allowing hydrocarbons and fuels to diffuse into the material. Usually, the volume of silicone rubber increases by 30% to 80%, resulting in swelling.
How Does Silicone Rubber Fail in Commercial Applications?
If the volume of the silicone rubber expands and becomes softer, it is due to the swell caused by exposure to oil and its subsequent failure. Exceeding the temperature limit of the silicone rubber and prolonged exposure to ultraviolet rays will cause it to harden and crack.
In sealing applications, the leakage of silicone rubber products is because they deform under long-term pressure. Additionally, there will be a problem of sticky surface, which is due to insufficient curing and failure.
What Is the Typical Shelf Life of Silicone Rubber Products?
When not opened, standard silicone rubber(general purpose) can be stored for 5 to 10 years; medical-grade silicone rubber, in accordance with ISO 13485 requirements, can be stored for 5 years. LSR (liquid silicone rubber, uncured) can be stored for 6 to 12 months when refrigerated at 5–25°C, while FVMQ has a shelf life of 3 to 5 years.
Can Silicone Rubber Be Overmolded onto Plastic or Metal Inserts?
Yes. Plastic (PC, ABS, PA, PBT) inserts can be bonded with adhesive primer through LSR injection molding. However, you need to be aware of the plastic’s deformation temperature. Metal inserts can be bonded using primer through compression molding or injection molding.
Why Is Silicone Rubber More Expensive Than EPDM or Nitrile Rubber?
Because the cost of the raw material silicone base polymer is higher than that of hydrocarbon rubbers. Moreover, silicone rubber requires a longer curing time, resulting in an increase in processing costs.
The price of standard silicone rubber is usually 2-3 times that of EPDM or Nitrile. Although silicone rubber has a higher upfront material cost, its durability and service life can reduce long-term maintenance and replacement costs.
Final Thoughts
Legensilico is a silicone manufacturer in China with over 20 years of experience. We can provide customized silicone rubber solutions and a variety of silicone rubber products to meet your business needs. If you are interested in our silicone rubber products and services, please feel free to contact us at any time.
